CLEVELAND, Ohio – Allegheny women’s soccer has been picked to finish third in the North Coast Athletic Conference following a preseason poll of the league’s head coaches it was announced on Tuesday. The Gators have finished third in the conference standings the past two seasons, but have the weapons and experience to finish ahead of the pack in the race for the 2010 conference crown.
Denison University, who is the defending NCAC regular season champions, earned seven of eight first-place votes to compile 63 points and edge defending NCAC tournament champion Wittenberg (57). In what is expected to be a hotly contested conference slate, Allegheny (42) narrowly edged out Ohio Wesleyan (41) for third place in the poll, while Wooster (33) has been picked to finish fifth.
Big Red return seven starters from last year's 16-4-2 squad that won the NCAC title and earned an NCAA tournament bid, including 2009 NCAC Offensive Player of the Year Kim Oshita.
Allegheny returns eight starters and five all-conference selections after finishing 11-6-2 in 2009. The Gators have fallen short in the NCAC semifinals the last two seasons despite surrendering just one goal. Allegheny capped its season in 2008 via penalty kicks against eventual tournament champion Wittenberg. Last fall, the Tigers once again derailed the Gators championship aspirations behind a 1-0 victory.
Founded in 1983, the North Coast Athletic Conference is made up of nine academically selective colleges and universities. DePauw University will join the North Coast beginning with the 2011-12 academic year.
2010 NCAC Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll
(First Place Votes in Parenthesis)
1. Denison (7) 63
2. Wittenberg (1) 57
3. Allegheny 42
4. Ohio Wesleyan 41
5. Wooster 33
6. Kenyon 27
7. Hiram 15
8. Oberlin 10